Coldwater selects Wood to replace Seas

COLDWATER - A Franklin-Monroe principal has agreed to become the Coldwater Exempted Village Schools District's new superintendent.

Jason Wood, 43, has verbally accepted the job.

The school board offered the position June 4 after interviews earlier in the week, school board president Terry Schroyer said. Board members plan to approve the hiring June 22 during a special work session.

"I'm really excited to work in Coldwater. They have a great tradition academically, athletically and with all the extracurricular activities in the school district," Wood said.

He replaces Rich Seas, who March 27 announced his resignation to become Adams County Ohio Valley School superintendent, starting July 1.

Schroyer said the board intends for Wood to start July 1 in Coldwater and a salary has yet to be determined.

Wood gave detailed answers to scenarios and questions during the interviews and board members felt he would be a good fit for the community, Schroyer said.

The new superintendent plans to meet the staff and community members immediately when he takes over the position.

"I want to offer a support system for the staff," he said.

The Bradford native is familiar with Mercer County and wants to continue the district's strong traditions.

Wood was one of two finalists from a group of 25 candidates for the position.

He has been the middle and high school principal at Franklin-Monroe since 2008. He had been the athletic director and a secondary teacher for Mississinawa Valley Local Schools; special education assistant and middle school teacher at Ansonia Local Schools; and assistant to students with handicaps at Montgomery County Educational Services Center. He has also coached boys basketball and baseball.

He has degrees from the University of Dayton, Marygrove College, Wright State University and Huntington College.

Wood said he looks forward to moving to Coldwater and the community is a great place to raise a family.